CHAPTER SIX
IT WAS THE first time Brand had ever seen Sahara really dressed down, and he could barely look away.
Somehow, the faded skinny jeans and soft blue sweatshirt made her more beautiful, and even sexier.
By the time she’d stepped out of the closet, he’d almost finished cleaning the blood. Because she’d said she’d do it herself, he’d waited for her protests. She’d surprised him with a mere sound of frustration before marching into the bathroom and closing that door much as she had the closet door.
Shutting him out.
He deserved it after he’d screwed up so badly, not only by hurting her feelings, but by failing to ensure her safety.
Sometimes he forgot she had feelings, she could be so mercenary in her efforts.
Maybe if she’d acted a little more upset over her abduction, and been a little less on the make, he could have kept his priorities straight.
When next she’d emerged, it was without her makeup and with her hair loosely braided.
He’d been struggling with a powerful surge of lust ever since.
While Justice, Miles and Leese investigated different areas of the break-in and assault, Brand kept his eyes on Sahara. It bothered him that she’d gotten so quiet, sitting alone on the steps, her thoughts hidden.
The urge to promise her...everything kept his focus unwavering.
Part of it, he knew, was his inner caveman getting to play dangerous games of rescue. He understood now why his friends liked this security shit so much. For an alpha male, it fed a very basic instinct. A larger part, though, was Sahara herself. Being with her kept him on his toes, and in the normal course of things she gave as good as she got.
Today had not been normal, and seeing this softer, more susceptible side of her only made her more appealing.
She wasn’t the in-control business shark as much as a woman who needed and appreciated his help.
The various facets to her personality fascinated him. He admired her strength, and was drawn to her softness.
Taking care of someone else hadn’t been on his agenda. Hell, he’d been struggling with unexpected responsibilities already.
With Sahara, it was different because she was different. He relished the chance to care for her.
Brand was just about to join her on the stairs when Justice returned from his investigation of the security panel. “Could the kidnapper have known Scott well enough to know your passcode?”
On the bottom step of the right staircase, her arms around her knees, Sahara shrugged. “I don’t think Scott would have given those codes to anyone, but I can’t say for sure. Why?”
Brand considered sitting with her, but she’d been giving him “don’t touch” vibes ever since the attack. “You think that’s how he got in?”
Leese, who’d just stepped in after searching the yard, said, “He might’ve used the tree to leave, but I don’t think he climbed it to get in. That first branch is too high to reach, even with a jump, and the tree is too wide to shimmy up.”
Sahara snickered. “How do you know? Did you try it?”
Leese had no qualms about sitting with her. In fact, he took the step above her then put a hand on her shoulder.
Miles leaned against the newel post next to her. “Climbing out of your window to the tree and jumping down from the last branch wouldn’t have been too hard. But I agree with Leese. He got in another way.”
Justice nodded. “I’m thinking he came in right through the front door and then reset the alarm system. When you didn’t show up alone, he hid—and it paid off.” He said the last as an accusation aimed at Brand.
Brand started to reply, but Sahara beat him to it.
“Brand doesn’t work for me, and he hasn’t had the same training as you three.” She shook her head. “No, this is on me. I’m the one who insisted on coming here.”
“He should have gone upstairs with you,” Justice stated.
Sahara lifted a brow. “Once I made up my mind to go upstairs alone, do you honestly think he could have stopped me?”
Not as abrasive as Justice, Miles said, “Stopped you, no. That’d be like trying to stop a stampede. But he still should have gone up with you and checked the room first.”
This time Brand cut off Sahara before she could reply. “I agree.” He knew he’d fucked up. “Believe me, it won’t happen again.”
Snapping her head around to glare at him, Sahara reiterated, “You do not work for me.”
He held up a hand. “So we think the guy got in the front door. That has to mean he had the codes.” Keeping in mind her desire to withhold her personal background, he said, “Sahara told me about another case where a guy who had installed the system had everything he needed to break in.”
“That was different,” she said. “Scott changed the passcode after the installation.” And with that, she shoved to her feet and sashayed off into the kitchen.
Brand watched her go, specifically the sway of her perfect ass in the snug-fitting jeans. Damn. The lady had a body that looked great no matter what she wore.
And if he ever got to see her naked...
With conflicted thoughts, he turned back around—and caught all three of his friends staring at him with varying degrees of interest.
Was he supposed to do a trick? Irate, he asked, “What?”
Steely-eyed, Leese asked, “Are you working for her or not?”
He was still struggling with that decision. “Probably not.”
“Make up your mind already—” Justice said, heading off to join his boss “—or hit the road. She doesn’t need indecision on this.”
Brand wouldn’t allow anyone to push him away from Sahara. “Not happening.”
Justice pivoted with a frown.
“Let it go,” Miles said to Justice.
As the only one of his friends who knew why Brand might leave MMA, Miles probably had more patience to wait for his final decision.
When Justice subsided, Miles lifted a brow at Brand, asking, “You two involved?”
Define involved. Drawn to each other? Definitely. Constantly butting heads? All the time. Smothering in sexual chemistry? God yes.
Brand shook his head. “Not yet sure about that either.” None of them would accept that so he went on without pause. “But I do know she shouldn’t be alone.”
“I’ll be with her,” Justice said. “You just go on home and figure out your life or something.” He strode away for the kitchen.
Brand stared after him. He could understand Justice’s confusion since he didn’t know all the facts, but he’d only put up with so much before he’d lose his temper. “Why the hell is he so pissy about this?”
“He hasn’t shaken off his stint as her personal protection.” Leese, too, started for the kitchen. “I have no idea why you’re even thinking about leaving MMA, but I suggest you make up your mind. Just know that if you stay, it’s a commitment until this is wrapped up. No waffling in and out.”
“I don’t waffle, damn it.”
With a roll of his eyes, Leese disappeared into the kitchen.
Miles waited to chime in until there was only the two of them. “You have some tough choices ahead with the SBC and your fight career. I know that. The thing is, you can’t be part of the setup then just bail if things here aren’t yet resolved. No one is going to accept that, least of all Sahara.” Then Miles left him, too.
Sahara was like the Pied Piper—where she went, the others followed.
Alone in the foyer, Brand grumbled and looked at the door...but he knew he wasn’t going anywhere.
His friends were right—it was past time he made a decision. A lot depended on Sahara. Talking to her, gauging her reaction, was key. He couldn’t do that if he walked away now. If he stayed, if he insisted on being the one to protect her, they’d have ample time to talk it out.
Ample time for other things as well, and that was a concern. He could keep it together, but he had a feeling that dissuading Sahara would take all his wits and then some.
After a deep breath, he joined the others.
He expected to find Sahara devouring more cookies, but instead she stood by herself at the window facing the side yard, watching the sunrise.
As if she’d only been waiting on him, she faced them all, offered up a wan smile and said with her usual sass, “If you boys are done playing, I need to get to the office.”
No one else seemed surprised by that except Brand.
“You’re going in today?” he asked with disbelief.
Sahara gave all her attention to her employees.
Justice said, “I’ll hang around and reprogram your codes.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
“And I’m going to call your landscaper to get that tree trimmed,” Miles said, “then I’ll do a general inspection to see if there are any other weaknesses.”
“I appreciate that.”
“I’ll go to the office with you.” Leese leaned back against the counter. “You saw him this time, right? That means we have some work to do.”
Sahara nodded. “I could use your help as I go through all of Scott’s old associates to see if I recognize him among them.”
Irritated with them all, Brand said to Leese, “She needs to sleep.” And then to Miles and Justice, “She can’t stay here even if you do get things buttoned up. The bastard got in once so he might be able to get in again.”
She gave him a long look. “Shouldn’t you be training for a fight?”
“It’s months away.” And despite what he’d told her, he didn’t yet know if he’d be fighting. He had a lot of conflicts to iron out.
“Ah.” Saying nothing more, Sahara paced away from the window.
Brand blocked her. “I think you should stay with me.”
She blinked at him. “With you?”
“Yes.”
Justice coughed. Miles laughed.
Showing some sense, Leese shuffled everyone out of the room.
Soon as they were alone, Brand moved in closer to her. Seeing the exhaustion, the wariness and her confusion, he cupped his hand to her face and gently repeated, “Stay with me.”
She drew in and released a slow breath. After glancing toward the doorway where the others had left, she whispered, “I’m only a little shaken, but I—”
“Shh.” He brushed his thumb over her soft, full lips—and then he replaced it with his mouth. He’d meant to indulge in a single peck, a way to let her know that she didn’t have to explain to him, and then he’d get her agreement.
But Sahara never did anything half-measure.
With a small, hungry sound, she fit her slim body to his, sliding her hands up his chest to his shoulders and then to his neck.
That’s all it took.
Brand gathered her closer, his arms around her, his head tilted to the side so he could deepen the kiss, explore her mouth with his tongue, coax her tongue into his mouth—
“Ahem.”
Shit. It took him a second to get a grip, then he turned so his back was to Justice, effectively hiding Sahara. “We’ll join you in a second, Justice.”
“Only a second, huh? Looked more involved than that to me. Maybe I should start calling you Speedy?”
“Justice,” he warned.
“I wasn’t gone that long. You two must’ve really jumped into it, huh?”
Sahara, being unlike other women, laughed.
No embarrassment for her.
Peeking around Brand, she said, “You’re hilarious, Justice.”
“He has his moments,” Brand agreed. Unfortunately, this wasn’t one of them.
“Yeah, well, I’m sorry to interrupt.” He eyed Brand. “Sort of. Thing is, we all agreed that you should leave at the same time as Leese, so...is that going to be any time soon?”
“Yes, very soon,” Sahara promised. “While I get changed, would you please call Enoch and ask him to have my brother’s suite at the agency cleaned out and prepped? He knows my eating habits, so I’d like for him to arrange groceries as well.”
Brand had no idea what she was up to now. “Why would you—”
“It makes perfect sense for me to stay there,” she said in a rush before he could even finish his question, “but I’d rather not deal with the memories right now.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Justice promised her.
“Scott’s belongings should be put in storage, but the women’s stuff can be donated somewhere.” In dismissal, she added sweetly, “Thank you, Justice.”
“Sure thing.” Cell phone already out to call Enoch, Justice exited the kitchen.
Brand couldn’t hold back the amazement he felt. “Nothing rattles you, does it?” She hadn’t been in the kitchen worrying as he’d thought. Not Sahara. No, she’d taken some quiet time to plot her next step.
He couldn’t imagine anyone ever taking her off guard.
“I’m the woman who raced upstairs in a fury, if you’ll recall. I was plenty rattled.”
Actually, she’d raced away so he wouldn’t see her upset and he felt guilty as hell about it. He knew he’d hurt her feelings when that had never been his intent.
“Rattled, huh?” Giving her the excuse, he smoothed his hand along her thick braid. “I’m surprised you’d admit to it.”
She faked a stern frown to go with her dire warning. “Ever repeat it and we’ll have a problem.”
“Your secrets are safe with me.”
Still kidding around, she flared her eyes wide. “Wow, what a promise. How do you know I won’t unload on you?”
“You could,” he said with sincerity. “I wouldn’t mind.”
She patted his chest. “Yes, well, I refuse to be a wimp, so don’t hold your breath.”
Covering her hand with his, Brand said, “You can trust me, Sahara.” If she’d rather stay at the agency suite, fine, but he’d figure out a way to stay with her.
“Trust you to make me nuts,” she muttered.
“Sahara—”
“I need to change for the office and pack some things for my stay in the suite. Are you still playing guard dog?”
“I am.” Except that he wasn’t playing.
“Excellent.” Putting her small, soft hand in his, her grip firm, Sahara led him out of the kitchen and toward the stairs. To Leese, she said, “I’ll be ready to go in ten minutes.”
“Hey, Speedy,” Justice called after him.
Vexed, Brand glanced back.
“Protect her this time.”
Brand flipped him off, but then also gave a nod. He’d protect her all right.
Today, tonight and for the foreseeable future.
* * *
BRAND LEFT AFTER she and Leese were in the offices. Sahara wasn’t sure what to think about that, but she pretended to think nothing at all. In front of everyone, he’d kissed her forehead, told her he’d see her again soon, then just walked away.
Soon could be later in the afternoon, later in the week or at the end of the month. She just didn’t know.
Should she have accepted his offer to stay with him?
No. That would smack of being needy, which would undermine her authority in a big way.
She could have invited him to stay with her instead, but again, needy. The thought of spending the night alone in her big house had given her chills. Unfortunately, the idea of being alone in the suite wasn’t much better. At least she knew the agency was protected; no one could get past the 24/7 security.
Except...people once had.
They’d shot her guard, grabbed Enoch and nearly killed him, then gotten to the suite where they’d attacked Leese and Catalina. At the time Catalina wasn’t yet Leese’s wife, but they were already well on their way to being more than a client and her bodyguard.
Thank God, Leese was a lethal, highly trained machine who’d made the attackers regret the decision to intrude.
It’d be best to put that horrid breach in security from her mind. Since then they’d tightened up all entry points. She’d be fine. She believed it, so she just had to find something else to occupy her mind. Given that she was anxious to dig into the files of her brother’s known associates, she had plenty of distractions at hand.
She was at her desk, coffee beside one elbow, the shiv she’d made at the other, painstakingly going through each file and cross-referencing them with any photos she could find, when Enoch opened her door.
“He’s ba-aack.”
Sahara straightened. For one startling second, she thought Enoch meant her kidnapper. Then she caught his smile and, clearing her throat, asked, “Who?”
Sliding into the room and closing the door behind him, Enoch said, “Brand Berry.”
“Oh?” Sooner than she’d expected. “I thought he’d left for the day.”
“Apparently not.” Enoch’s smile turned knowing. “Care to share?”
Actually... She hopped up from her chair and skirted her desk. “What do you think of him?”
Without hesitation, Enoch said, “Big, capable, confident.”
All true. Sahara added, “Plus smart, attentive, motivated.”
Enoch nodded. “The emotional in a nice physical package equals just what you need.”
That gave her pause. “You think I need someone?”
“Sahara,” he chastised. “You know you’ve been one of my favorite people for a very long time.”
“Ditto.” She and Enoch had met prior to her brother’s disappearance, and they’d immediately hit it off. She’d leaned on him after Scott came up missing, and when she inherited the agency shortly after that, she’d asked him to be her assistant.
Best decision she’d ever made, and that was saying something because she didn’t make bad decisions.
She’d grown Body Armor, shifted the focus, given it more clout, more sex appeal—and through every change big and small, Enoch was there helping her to make it a seamless transition.
“You’re also one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. More independent even than Scott.”
“Really?” Crazy how much that flattered her.
“Once Scott made the business successful, he went about enjoying that success.”
He said that like an accusation. “I enjoy the success.”
“No, you always push for more, and that’s fine. Your single-minded drive is a big part of who you are. But you shouldn’t forever go it alone.”
“I have you.”
“Always,” he vowed. “But you should have more than just a friend. I want to see you loosen up a little. Live a little.” He softened his voice. “Share yourself.”
Enoch made it all sound perfectly normal, not at all needy. “You know why I don’t date.”
“That was a long time ago.”
She nodded. Sometimes it felt like a lifetime had passed since the last guy tried to charm his way into the family finances. “Scott always weeded out the users, the men only after my wealth, but now...how can I tell what a man really wants?”
“Oh please.” Disgruntled, Enoch frowned at her. “I respected Scott a lot, you know that. But he was sometimes wrong—especially when he assumed anyone attracted to you was only after your money.”
It didn’t happen every time...just often enough that she stopped trusting herself. She’d been born into money, and was left a healthy inheritance that Scott had expanded exponentially. Money had never been one of her worries—except when it came to knowing which was the bigger draw, her or her wealth. “I am filthy rich, and that’s a powerful lure for a lot of people.”
“You think the money is so important that a man can’t really see you?” He scoffed. “Have you looked in a mirror lately? Trust me, any guy with blood pumping through his veins sees you. And even if he’s not interested in...romance, he’s bound to admire you, respect you, and—”
“Like me?” She often wondered.
It was one of the things she appreciated most about the fighters she’d hired, as well as their close friends. They were friendly to her, but so down-to-earth, capable and self-sufficient, thoughts of benefiting from her wealth never entered their minds. If anything, they seemed to forget she had money and influence.
Enoch’s scowl grew darker. “Of course they like you. You’re beautiful, witty, honorable and, well...” He flapped a hand. “Apply all those accolades we already gave to Mr. Berry because you have them as well.”
“Not his strength.”
With a snort, Enoch said, “I’d match your cunning and determination to his physical strength any day. And that’s the beauty of it—he’s a good counterpart to your personality.”
“I would like to know him better,” she admitted. “Only he won’t let me hire him.”
“Ha! If he worked here, he’d have grounds for sexual harassment charges in no time. You—” he emphasized “—are as nuanced as a tsunami when you want something...or someone.”
In most cases, she saw no reason for nuance. Propping a hip on the desk in her favored position, Sahara idly swung one foot, her shoe dangling off her toes. “I guess that could be a problem, at least until he gives in.”
Enoch shook his head in exasperation.
“But if I can’t hire him, then how should I—”
Squaring his shoulders, Enoch said, “Sleep with him.”
That bald statement coming from her circumspect and very proper assistant caused a smile to tug at her mouth. “Sleep with him to get to know him?”
“For you, it’d be the most expedient way.”
Obviously, she wasn’t averse to the idea, but to hear her friend instructing her... “Enoch, you’re blushing.”
In a low voice, he confided, “I feel like a pimp.”
Sahara laughed. “Not a pimp, but as my best friend and an irreplaceable assistant, you more than anyone can advise me.”
“Then out of concern, let me say: be yourself with him.”
“I’m always myself. Who else would I be?”
He bent a stern look on her. “Sahara.”
Mimicking him, she replied, “Enoch.”
He rolled his eyes. “You’ve taken the role of boss to heart. You know, you don’t always have to be the one in charge, the strong one. Sometimes it’s nice to delegate—or even to lean on someone else.”
No, she didn’t want to do any leaning. “I delegate to you all the time.”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it.”
“Fine. I promise I’ll try to be myself.” Feeling impulsive, she gave Enoch a hug. He was smaller than her, and in no way resembled the ripped fighters she’d hired as bodyguards to ramp up the agency’s sex appeal. But he didn’t need physical stature to be one of the finest people she’d ever known.
While they were involved in this mutual exchange of respect and admiration, she pressed him back and asked, “How’s Tina?”
Surprise blanked his expression. “You know about her?”
“My number one guy starts a torrid affair and you think I’d miss it?”
He sighed. “It is rather torrid.”
Delighted for him, Sahara grinned.
She’d always known of Enoch’s keen intelligence and aptitude for organization, but in the last year, she’d discovered new depth to her friend.
His loyalty to her, to all innocents, had enabled him to endure terrible abuse—to the point that the thug who’d taken him thought that he had choked Enoch to death.
Thank God, Enoch had hung on.
Remembering that awful time, and how close she’d come to losing someone else she loved, weakened her composure. Her throat felt thick and her eyes got blurry. Squeezing him tighter, Sahara said, “She’s a lucky woman.”
He patted her back, and since he always saw through her, asked, “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Sahara nodded and concentrated on not letting the tears fall. “Yes, thank you.”
Proving his value, Enoch didn’t press her. “You’re welcome. If you need anything, please let me know.”
He’d been more attentive all morning, constantly checking in on her without actually hovering. He’d even brought her an iced and decorated donut with her coffee. “You’re the best, Enoch.”
“I’ll look for proof of that in my next raise.” After winking, he opened the door and announced, “She’ll see you now, Mr. Berry.”
On his way in, Brand said, “You really have to quit calling me that. It makes me feel like I should be in a suit or something.”
Enoch laughed. “All right, I’ll drop the formality.” He leaned close to Brand and said sotto voce, “Take care of her.”
“I plan to.”
Exasperated, Sahara said, “I don’t need anyone to—” The door shut before she could finish her protest. “I swear he does that on purpose.”
Brand was smiling when he turned to her, but the smile slipped. “Hey? You okay?”
She devoured him with her gaze. He looked freshly showered and shaved, and he’d changed into another pair of jeans, this time with a black Henley that fit snug to his wide, hard shoulders, his solid chest, and then fell loose around his tapered waist and flat abs.
Trying for a brisk tone, Sahara asked, “Why does everyone keep asking me that?”
“Maybe because you’ve been through hell, had your life threatened, got mauled by a lunatic, haven’t had any sleep and possibly got false hope about your brother.”
No, it wasn’t false. She wouldn’t believe that.
Arms crossed, weight shifted to one hip, she countered, “Are you okay?”
“Me? Yeah, I’m fine. Why?”
“Well, let’s see.” She propped her hip on her desk again and crossed her ankles in a negligent pose. “You went through nearly everything that I did, you also haven’t had any sleep and your friends are heckling you because I didn’t play the good little girl and ask the big protective fighter to check my bedroom for danger.”
Wearing a crooked smile, he approached. “That sounds like a private fantasy or something.”
“Perhaps, but I’ll reserve it for someone who’s willing to play.”
The smile firmed into a straight line. He didn’t stop until he had her shoulders clasped in his big hands and she had her head tilted back so she could stare into his dark eyes.
“I wanted to talk to you about that.”
Her pulse jumped. “About playing?”
“Somewhat.” His thumbs gently caressed her tensed muscles. “I want to stay with you.”
In case he’d forgotten, she said, “I’m staying in the suite here.”
“I know.”
And he still wanted to stay with her? When he’d left, she’d thought... But here he was, back again, and she so badly didn’t want to be alone.
Yet being with Brand and not touching him would be impossible, and despite her promise to Enoch, Brand didn’t seem like a willing participant to his suggestion.
When she didn’t say anything, Brand asked, “It’s a regular living space?”
“Yes. Scott used it sometimes for entertaining, but mostly for convenience, especially when he had the house built, and then later when he wanted it remodeled. Leese and Catalina stayed there when she was first a client and it wasn’t safe to move her. It’s on the top floor of the building, fully furnished and entirely secure.”
Nodding, he said as if he expected her agreement, “I have my overnight bag in the car.”
So he’d gone home, showered, changed and packed...to be with her? Going for honesty, she admitted, “I would enjoy the company.”
“Great.”
“But I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
“You staying alone isn’t a good idea. Me staying with you is the right thing to do.”
So obligation motivated him, not interest? Damn the man for keeping her confused. She sidled away from him, her hands on her hips. “I don’t see how it can be right when you only tease me.”
He ran a frustrated hand over his head. “Sahara...” Abruptly he changed his tone to sound more reasonable. “Come on, honey, you know you didn’t really want sex after just being kidnapped.”
She lifted a supercilious brow. “I wanted it then and I want it now.”
Brand hitched his chin with doubt. “Right now?”
“Well...” She looked back at her hard massive desk, then at the small, but softer sofa against the wall. “I mean, not exactly this second. I’m not sure my office is private enough for that.”
New heat entered his eyes. “Your office would be plenty private enough, I promise.”
That put all kinds of vivid sexual images into her mind. She took in a slow breath and nodded. “All right.”
“But,” Brand said with exaggerated patience, “you haven’t had any sleep, you’ve been through a shit-ton of upset and now you’re worried about Scott again. Don’t you think it’d be better to give yourself a chance to recoup?”
No, not when she’d wanted him even before the kidnapping. “I’m always worried about Scott and I’ll stay worried until he’s back home with me. I’ve never needed much sleep, and I’m already over what happened.” The last was a huge lie, but what she needed most was the unique closeness of intimacy. Enoch knew it, so why didn’t Brand? “If you’re still tired, a little traumatized maybe, you should definitely go home and rest up.”
Brand shook his head. “You make ‘rest up’ sound very wussified.”
She gave a delicate shrug. “If the description fits...”
He stepped closer, a new edge to his demeanor. “Do you always use insults to get your way?”
Now that he pointed it out, she felt like a bully. “Usually only with you, and it still doesn’t work.” She sighed. “I’m sorry.”
“My ego isn’t that fragile, Sahara. You don’t need to apologize.”
Throwing up her hands, she snapped, “Then I guess I should just give up?” She really hated that idea, but she hated throwing herself at him and being repeatedly rejected more.
Indulgent, Brand said, “I’d rather you didn’t.”
Okay, hold up. “You’ve got more mixed signals than a virgin on prom night.”
He grinned. “What I’d like you to do is recognize that you’re a little off balance. That’s why you’re coming on even stronger than usual, and using insults. Am I right?”
She gave a very grudging “Maybe.”
“Allowing yourself some time to come to grips with everything isn’t a bad thing. I promise it doesn’t make you a wuss.”
“Are you coming to grips with it?” She waited for his denial.
He surprised her by saying, “I think so. Even though I’m sure you’ll be safe here, I know I want to stick closer to you, to see for myself that you’re okay.”
His admission gave her a small thrill. “That sounds awfully involved for someone who doesn’t want involvement.”
“Never said I didn’t want to be involved.”
“Then—”
“But there’s a small problem, honey. See, you take the whole boss gig to heart even though I don’t work for you. You need to learn to separate that once you leave the office.”
Did she do that? Yes, probably.
“You’re a boss,” he said. “But that shouldn’t define you. You’re also a sister, a friend...and a very sexy woman.”
He looked at her so intently, as if willing her to understand.
Hanging on to that sexy woman compliment, she said, “I can try to separate things.” She had promised Enoch, after all. “It’s just that I’m so good at being a boss.” And maybe not so great at the other things. “Ask anyone who works for me.”
“Maybe they say that because they do work for you. Let me remind you again: I don’t.” He slid his hand up her throat, his long fingers curling around to her nape and his thumb tilting up her chin. “I’m also good at being the boss.”
Sudden insight sent her brows up. She had no qualms challenging him. “So this is about the big macho fighter being too insecure to take orders from a woman?”
“More insults?” When she scowled, a dangerous smile curved his mouth. “I’d say it’s about you being afraid to be a woman.”
Absurd! She started to jerk away, but suddenly his other arm locked her to him. That didn’t stop her from struggling.
“Can’t bear to hear the truth, Sahara?”
Far as challenges went, he nailed it. She stopped levering away and instead thrust her face up close to his. “I’m not afraid of anything.”
He chuckled at her bravado. Actually chuckled!
Furious over his galling amusement, Sahara could think of only two ways to wipe away his humor.
Her knee could land home in a very sobering way.
The other option would be... She kissed him.
Or more like she attacked his mouth.
When he leaned back to avoid the assault, she followed, her hands now fisted tight in his shirt, high against his collarbone. She nipped his bottom lip, sucked it into her mouth, licked over it, and then, sealing her lips to his, she explored the damp heat of his mouth. She loved the slick texture of his strong white teeth, his velvet tongue, and she especially loved the low growl he gave in reaction.
Abruptly, he stopped retreating and instead adjusted his hold.
The hand around her nape tipped her head farther back so he could take the lead. His other hand scooped down to her behind and pressed her against him, their bodies perfectly aligned for a tantalizing fit.
It was a battle of wills, each of them trying to take control...until Brand backed her up so that her thighs bumped into her desk. Proving his strength, he scooped her up one-handed and sat her on the edge.
Against her lips, he said, “Open your legs.”
Never one to give in easily, she asked, “Why?”
“I want between them.”
Oookay. That sounded enticing. He still firmly clasped her nape, making it impossible for her to look away. He saw everything she felt, probably read in her eyes everything she considered. Just to throw him off, she smiled...and slid her knees apart.
“Good.” He pushed up the slim skirt she’d changed into, then widened her legs farther by stepping between them.
The denim of his jeans felt rough against her inner thighs.
So did the free hand he traveled up the inside of her knee.
The sensation of his calloused fingertips firm on her sensitive flesh, along with the probing force of his dark brown gaze, made her eyes heavy.
As if he knew it, he whispered, “Keep them open.” To ensure he had her attention, he brushed his knuckles over the crotch of her silken panties.
Like a bolt of lightning, the touch sizzled all along her nerve endings, making her gasp and bringing a flush to her skin.
“So hot,” he whispered, still idly stroking. “I’d like to make you wet, too.”
She was getting there pretty quickly already.
When Enoch’s voice came through the intercom, she jumped.
“Mr. Delamore is here, Ms. Silver.”
Brand slowly withdrew his hand and, with attention to detail, carefully straightened her hair, when she hadn’t even realized it was mussed. “Mr. Delamore?” he asked with more than idle curiosity.
“Prospective client.” Her voice trembled as surely as her limbs. Wishing it wasn’t so, she explained, “We had an appointment.”
“Tell Enoch to give you three minutes.”
Nodding, she started to stand, but Brand shook his head. “You can reach the intercom.”
Another challenge, and this one was harder to meet because she felt like warm gelatin. She reached out a hand for the intercom button, was still a few inches away and ended up leaning back on an elbow, practically sprawled on her desk—with Brand standing between her legs, his hands holding her hips.
Trying to steady her voice, she touched the button and replied, hopefully in her usual no-nonsense tone, “Apologize for the delay, but I’ll need five more minutes.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The deference Enoch adopted for clients usually struck her as funny, but not this time. When she started to rise, Brand leaned into her, balancing himself on his outstretched arms at either side of her shoulders.
“I told you three minutes.”
Rather than fight the inevitable, she relaxed her spine and accepted that, in this instance, Brand had won. “I’ll need two extra to recover.”
His attention was focused on her mouth. “One more kiss then, before I let you get back to work.”
“Yes.” She’d love one more kiss. Or a hundred more, even.
“First, though, tell me you’re okay with me staying the night.”
Blackmail? He knew how badly she wanted that kiss. “Will there be more teasing?”
“That’s up to you.” As soon as he said it, he took her mouth in a kiss that left her gasping. She found herself flat on her back, his body meshed with hers from the junction of her legs all the way up to her breasts.
She’d never look at her desk the same way again.
Smiling down at her, he promised, “We’ll discuss teasing, and more, tonight.”
Damn him, how did he recover so easily? Still breathing heavily, she nodded. “Okay.”
He tenderly cupped her face. “What time will you finish up?”
“Seven.”
“And you won’t be leaving the office?”
She shook her head.
“Promise me?”
If he worked for her, she’d take him to task for that. But as he forever pointed out, he wasn’t yet an employee so she only said, “I don’t lie.” Not over something so trivial, anyway.
He pressed his mouth to hers one last time, then straightened, bringing her up with him and helping her to her feet. “I’ll be back here before seven, then.”
So he was leaving again? “Where are you going now?”
His fingertips grazed her cheek. “Leese is going to show me around. If you need me, I’ll be nearby.”
She liked how often he touched her, how he touched her, how he looked at her... Then what he said sank in. Leese was showing him around? For what reason? “Are you considering—”
“We’ll talk tonight.”
With her heart punching, she watched him walk out.
She couldn’t wait for the opportunity to get some answers. But for now, knowing he’d have to pass the wealthy and snobbish Mr. Delamore amused her as she imagined the much smaller man’s reaction to Brand’s rugged, intimidating presence.
Mr. Delamore. She probably only had a minute left, so she darted into her attached bathroom and straightened her clothes, tidied her hair once more and repaired her makeup.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t a thing she could do about the aroused flush to her skin.
Not yet. But tonight she’d have Brand all to herself. They’d talk...and then she’d explain to him how it had to be.